The One Nighter Read Online Free PDF Page B

a wide smile of gratitude. “Thanks so much for doing this, Mel. I really appreciate it.”
    Standing up, she gave Melanie her chair.
    “Things should be pretty quiet. I think almost everyone is at lunch except for Mr. Mason. He asked me to hold all of his calls,” she explained.
    Melanie slid into the chair. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I can handle things here. Go and have fun with your mom,” she instructed.
    Watching Callie head out the back, she turned to face the computer screen. She couldn’t help but be curious about Callie’s words.
    What was Connor doing?
    As much as she told herself she didn’t care, she couldn’t help but wonder.
    Did he regret what happened between them last night?
    Just thinking about the awkward car ride they had shared made color invade her cheeks. After a couple of ro u tine calls, the front door opened to reveal a tall redhead. Her tailored black suit clung to every curve, and her white blouse was unbuttoned to reveal a bit of cleavage. Lustrous curls hung around her shoulders. Perfectly lined lips slid i n to a smile as her hazel eyes focused on Melanie.
    “Good afternoon, how can I help you?” Melanie asked.
    “I have a lunch appointment with Mr. Mason,” she e x plained.
    Lunch appointment?
    Callie didn’t say anything about a lunch appointment, especially one that came in the shape of a tall redhead with long legs and boobs that she was sure were picked out of a brochure.
    “I’m sorry. Mr. Mason didn’t say anything about a lunch appointment,” she admitted.
    Sighing heavily, she pointed her perfectly manicured finger at the switchboard. “Well, why don’t you tell him that Miranda Talbott is here?” she suggested.
    Gritting her teeth to keep from responding to the other woman’s condescending tone, she picked up the headset. Hitting Connor’s line, she waited for a moment before speaking.
    “Mr. Mason?”
    His low baritone voice came over the intercom, ma k ing her insides flutter. “Callie, I asked you to hold all of my calls,” he replied, sounding annoyed.
    She couldn’t help but be thankful that he didn’t reco g nize her voice. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mason, but there’s a Mira n da Talbott here to see you. She says that you have a lunch appointment.”
    Feeling a moment of triumphant anticipation, she waited for him to dismiss the woman. Then, Ms. Plastic could be on her way back to wherever she came from.
    “I’ll be right out,” he said.
    Slowly, she replaced the receiver, trying her best to stamp down the jealousy that coursed through her veins. Her gaze rose to meet a very quizzical pair of hazels.
    “He’ll be right out,” she repeated.
    The words sounded as hollow as they felt.
    The other woman tilted her head to offer her a sarca s tic glare, her lips pursed. “Thank you,” she replied.
    Connor appeared around the corner, shrugging into his jacket. When his gaze collided with Melanie’s, a guilty look clouded his features.
    “Melanie, what are you doing up here?” he inquired, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two women.
    “I’m covering for Callie. She had a lunch date. She didn’t tell me that you had one too,” she answered brusqu e ly.
    She hadn’t meant to say the last part, but before she could stop it, the words were out.
    Miranda took a step forward to press herself against Connor. “I wanted to surprise you. I know how you love my little surprises,” she cooed.
    Melanie fought the urge to roll her eyes as she turned back to face the computer.
    “I do have a lot of work to do, Miranda,” he allowed.
    “I know, but I had to see you. Besides, you can’t work all the time. You have to eat,” she reasoned.
    “Alright,” he conceded.
    They walked over to the front door. When they reached it, he looked back at Melanie.
    “I’ll be back in an hour.”
    She nodded, not even giving him the satisfaction of looking at him. Once they were gone, she shook her head. She couldn’t believe that she had actually thought